To Enter For A Chance To Win This Doll From Our Children of America Dolls. Just send an email to editor@grandmagazine.com with your name and a shipping address. On March 30th we will have a random drawing of entries. Don’t wait…you could win this beautiful African American doll.
By Mary Eubanks – Founder of Our Children of America Dolls
Our little company has been the lifelong dream of our founder, educator Mary Eubanks. We were founded in 2007 with the mission to provide little girls with dolls that were representative of their own race and ethnicity. We felt that the dolls should not only celebrate the diverity of America, but they should also be beautiful, durable, and affordable. We didn’t want any child to be denied the pleasure of our dolls because the cost was prohibitive. Our Children of America Dolls collection is sure to bring enjoyment for years to come.
Words from the Founder
My name is Mary. I discovered the world of dolls as an adult. Growing up in Atoka, a small town in Tennessee, I had very few dolls of my own. Not many of my friends had them, either. Maybe that’s why doll collecting became my passion as an adult. As I scoured the local shops and doll shows looking for treasures to complete my collection, I noticed that there was a distinct shortage of dolls of color. It didn’t matter if I looked in a major retail chain or a boutique shop it seemed that the market wasn’t offering dolls that accurately reflected the diversity of America.
As an educator, I knew that cultural representation is important for the development of identity and self-esteem. I had little time to advocate for cultural diversity in the doll industry while I pursued my career in education but it was something that I thought about a lot. Time continued to pass and before I knew it, I was scheduled for retirememt. I began planning the next phase of my life. I decided that it was time to address the diversity challenge. First, I read everything I could get my hands on about dolls, fashion, and production. Then I began taking doll-making classes and learned the ins and outs of the business from some of today’s industry leaders.
Slowly but surely, my dream began to take shape. After much hard work, “the girls” as I call them, were born! Each doll is designed to teach young ladies that they are uniquely different and very special. Don’t just take my word for it, watch the video on youtube to see how delighted children are when playing witht the dolls. I am confident that the little ladies in your life would be proud to own one or more of the dolls. She’s sure to love playing with them as much as we enjoy making them.
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
Brianna enjoys reading, music and sports. She especially loves to play with her friends Ashley, Mia, and Andrea on the playground at Willoughby Preschool. When she grows up she plans to be a doctor like her dad! Brianna thinks anything is possible, even getting along with her older brother, Anthony!
